Toxic chemicals affect Vic beachgoers

Eleven people have been taken to hospital after coming into contact with toxic
chemicals at Wonthaggi Beach, in southern Victoria.
Two groups of beachgoers came across two barrels of what Ambulance Victoria
officials believed was dichlorobenzene on the beach at Harmers Haven and at the
mouth of the Powlett River on Tuesday afternoon.
None of the 11, however, showed any signs of injury or serious illness after being
taken to Wonthaggi hospital for observation, Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman
Gabrielle Degenhardt said.
The Country Fire Authority hazardous materials team gave the beachgoers a chemical
shower at the scene to decontaminate them before they were transported to hospital.